Men's Basketball
Hunter, Kenya
Kenya Hunter
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- mbasket@iu.edu
- Phone:
- (812) 855-2238
A 22-year veteran of Division I coaching, Kenya Hunter spent five years with the Hoosiers and three as associate head coach.
WITH THE HOOSIERS
Indiana finished the 2024-25 season with a 19-13 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play. For the second-straight season, the Hoosiers earned four road wins (at Penn State, at Ohio State, at No. 11 Michigan State, and at Washington) in league play. In addition to its road triumph at nationally ranked MSU, IU also topped No. 13 Purdue at home to give the Cream ‘n Crimson two ranked wins.
The Hoosiers brought in the second-ranked transfer portal class according to 247Sports and signed consensus top 30 recruit in freshman wing Bryson Tucker. Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo, the top portal commit, averaged 13.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, a career-high 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game on his way to Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. Junior forward Malik Reneau was also named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention after he averaged a team-best 13.3 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per outing.
The 2023-24 season saw the Hoosiers finish 19-14 with a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play. IU earned four B1G road victories (at Michigan, at Ohio State, at Maryland, at Minnesota), which tied for third-most in league play.
Indiana’s staff saw the second-year transformations of big men Kel’el Ware and Malik Reneau. Ware, who transferred to Indiana following a disappointing freshman season at Oregon, finished the season as an All-Big Ten Second Team selection by the media (Third Team by the coaches) and All-Defensive pick after becoming the third Hoosier in the last 25 seasons to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He finished second in the Big Ten in double-doubles (15), rebounds (9.9), and field goal percentage (58.6%), fifth in blocks (1.9), and 12th in points (15.9). Reneau posted career bests in points (15.4 per game), rebounds (6.0), assists (2.7), blocks (0.6), and minutes played (28.8) on his wat to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention consideration.
Heralded five-star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako became the second Hoosier in as many seasons to be named (Co) Big Ten Freshman of the Year after he averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds in 33 starts. Mgbako was one of two freshmen in the NCAA to score over 400 points, make at least 50 3-pointers, convert on 90-plus free throws, and grab at least 125 rebounds.
In 2022-23, the Hoosiers finished the season ranked in in the top 25 in both major polls. IU was 23-12 overall and finished tied for second in the Big Ten with a 12-8 mark. The year included a road win at Xavier and season sweeps over Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois. The Cream and Crimson led the Big Ten in field goal percentage (48.7%) and finished second in the conference in field goal percentage defense in both the league’s overall and conference games only ledgers.
IU’s staff saw senior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis earn consensus first-team All-American honors, a first for a Hoosier player in 10 years, and win the Karl Malone Award given annually to the best power forward in college basketball. The Greenwood native finished his career at IU ranked third in career scoring and double-doubles, while finishing as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots. He was a unanimous first team All-Big Ten selection and the league leader in blocked shots also was a member of the league’s All-Defensive team. In addition, freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was named second and third team All-Big Ten and earned All-Freshman accolades.
He was a member of head coach Mike Woodson’s first staff at Indiana that guided the team to a nine-win improvement, an NCAA Tournament win, and built the top-rated defense in the Big Ten according to KenPom (22nd, nationally). IU also led the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense at 39.6% and finished second in blocked shots at 4.83 a game. In Big Ten games, the Hoosiers also led the league in field goal percentage defense at 41.3%.
The Hoosiers appeared in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2003 and helped three players earn All-Big Ten status including Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, and Xavier Johnson. His team also ended nine-game losing streaks to Purdue and Michigan and his staff landed the 10th-best recruiting class in the country according to 247Sports.
In his first year with the Hoosiers (2020-21), he was on a staff that saw Trayce Jackson-Davis earn All-American honors while Armaan Franklin (2nd), Jackson-Davis (5th) and Race Thompson (6th) ranked among the most improved scorers in the Big Ten.
BEFORE BLOOMINGTON
Hunter came to Indiana after spending two seasons (2018-20) as an assistant coach at UConn. He worked primarily with the Huskies’ big men and had a significant impact, helping center Josh Carlton earn the American Athletic Conference Most Improved Player Award for 2018-19 and developing freshman Akok Akok into one of the nation’s leading shot blockers. He also helped UConn land two consecutive top-20 recruiting classes.
Hunter came to UConn after spending five years (2013-18) on the coaching staff at Nebraska. He coached big men and wings during his tenure at Nebraska as he helped the Huskers post 22 victories in 2017-18, earning an NIT berth. During his tenure, he also helped Nebraska reach the NCAA Tournament and he was instrumental in the development of All-Big Ten selections Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields. Petteway was a two-time All-Big Ten performer who led the conference in scoring in 2013-14, while Shields finished his career as one of five players in school history with 1,500 points and 600 rebounds.
He spent six years (2007-13) on the coaching staff at Georgetown, where he helped the Hoyas earn two Big East Conference titles, five 20-win seasons, and five NCAA Tournament berths. He also had a significant role in the development of future NBA stars Roy Hibbert, Greg Monroe, and Otto Porter Jr., the Big East Player of the Year in 2012-13 and the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft. His recruiting efforts helped the Hoyas land three classes that were rated among the top-25 in the country.
Prior to his stint at Georgetown, Hunter spent three years (2004-07) at Xavier, where he helped the team produce back-to-back 20-win seasons and earn a spot in the 2007 NCAA tourney.
He left his alma mater for the Director of Basketball Operations spot at North Carolina State (2000-04).
Hunter began his Division I coaching career at Duquesne, his alma mater, where he became a fulltime assistant for two seasons (1998-2000), helping the Dukes bring in the top recruiting class in the Atlantic 10 in 1999.
PLAYING CAREER
Hunter enjoyed a four-year (1992-96) playing career at Duquesne. He started 63 of his 103 career games played and averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 assists per game. He was voted as a three-time team captain and twice received an award as the team’s top upperclassman.
He was named to the Midwestern Collegiate Conference All-Freshman Team after averaging 10.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while starting all 28 games during his debut season with the Dukes. In the program’s transition to the Atlantic 10, Hunter posted 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals as a sophomore.
During his junior campaign he tallied averages of 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.2 steals in 27 starts. He closed his career with averages of 7.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 steals in 17 appearances as a senior. He was a career 35.1% (136-of-387) shooter from the 3-point line and 74.4% (215-of-289) shooter from the free throw line.
Hunter graduated from Duquesne with a degree in liberal arts in 1996 and earned his master’s degree in education from North Carolina State in 1998, while serving as a student manager for the Wolf Pack.
He played both football and basketball at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va.
PERSONAL
He has one son, Jaylin, two daughters, Kendall and Kamryn, and a stepdaughter, Avery. He is married to the former Shani Alston. Jaylin plays basketball at Ohio University. Kendall attends UNC Wilmington.
WITH THE HOOSIERS
Indiana finished the 2024-25 season with a 19-13 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play. For the second-straight season, the Hoosiers earned four road wins (at Penn State, at Ohio State, at No. 11 Michigan State, and at Washington) in league play. In addition to its road triumph at nationally ranked MSU, IU also topped No. 13 Purdue at home to give the Cream ‘n Crimson two ranked wins.
The Hoosiers brought in the second-ranked transfer portal class according to 247Sports and signed consensus top 30 recruit in freshman wing Bryson Tucker. Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo, the top portal commit, averaged 13.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, a career-high 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game on his way to Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. Junior forward Malik Reneau was also named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention after he averaged a team-best 13.3 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per outing.
The 2023-24 season saw the Hoosiers finish 19-14 with a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play. IU earned four B1G road victories (at Michigan, at Ohio State, at Maryland, at Minnesota), which tied for third-most in league play.
Indiana’s staff saw the second-year transformations of big men Kel’el Ware and Malik Reneau. Ware, who transferred to Indiana following a disappointing freshman season at Oregon, finished the season as an All-Big Ten Second Team selection by the media (Third Team by the coaches) and All-Defensive pick after becoming the third Hoosier in the last 25 seasons to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He finished second in the Big Ten in double-doubles (15), rebounds (9.9), and field goal percentage (58.6%), fifth in blocks (1.9), and 12th in points (15.9). Reneau posted career bests in points (15.4 per game), rebounds (6.0), assists (2.7), blocks (0.6), and minutes played (28.8) on his wat to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention consideration.
Heralded five-star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako became the second Hoosier in as many seasons to be named (Co) Big Ten Freshman of the Year after he averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds in 33 starts. Mgbako was one of two freshmen in the NCAA to score over 400 points, make at least 50 3-pointers, convert on 90-plus free throws, and grab at least 125 rebounds.
In 2022-23, the Hoosiers finished the season ranked in in the top 25 in both major polls. IU was 23-12 overall and finished tied for second in the Big Ten with a 12-8 mark. The year included a road win at Xavier and season sweeps over Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois. The Cream and Crimson led the Big Ten in field goal percentage (48.7%) and finished second in the conference in field goal percentage defense in both the league’s overall and conference games only ledgers.
IU’s staff saw senior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis earn consensus first-team All-American honors, a first for a Hoosier player in 10 years, and win the Karl Malone Award given annually to the best power forward in college basketball. The Greenwood native finished his career at IU ranked third in career scoring and double-doubles, while finishing as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots. He was a unanimous first team All-Big Ten selection and the league leader in blocked shots also was a member of the league’s All-Defensive team. In addition, freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was named second and third team All-Big Ten and earned All-Freshman accolades.
He was a member of head coach Mike Woodson’s first staff at Indiana that guided the team to a nine-win improvement, an NCAA Tournament win, and built the top-rated defense in the Big Ten according to KenPom (22nd, nationally). IU also led the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense at 39.6% and finished second in blocked shots at 4.83 a game. In Big Ten games, the Hoosiers also led the league in field goal percentage defense at 41.3%.
The Hoosiers appeared in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2003 and helped three players earn All-Big Ten status including Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, and Xavier Johnson. His team also ended nine-game losing streaks to Purdue and Michigan and his staff landed the 10th-best recruiting class in the country according to 247Sports.
In his first year with the Hoosiers (2020-21), he was on a staff that saw Trayce Jackson-Davis earn All-American honors while Armaan Franklin (2nd), Jackson-Davis (5th) and Race Thompson (6th) ranked among the most improved scorers in the Big Ten.
BEFORE BLOOMINGTON
Hunter came to Indiana after spending two seasons (2018-20) as an assistant coach at UConn. He worked primarily with the Huskies’ big men and had a significant impact, helping center Josh Carlton earn the American Athletic Conference Most Improved Player Award for 2018-19 and developing freshman Akok Akok into one of the nation’s leading shot blockers. He also helped UConn land two consecutive top-20 recruiting classes.
Hunter came to UConn after spending five years (2013-18) on the coaching staff at Nebraska. He coached big men and wings during his tenure at Nebraska as he helped the Huskers post 22 victories in 2017-18, earning an NIT berth. During his tenure, he also helped Nebraska reach the NCAA Tournament and he was instrumental in the development of All-Big Ten selections Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields. Petteway was a two-time All-Big Ten performer who led the conference in scoring in 2013-14, while Shields finished his career as one of five players in school history with 1,500 points and 600 rebounds.
He spent six years (2007-13) on the coaching staff at Georgetown, where he helped the Hoyas earn two Big East Conference titles, five 20-win seasons, and five NCAA Tournament berths. He also had a significant role in the development of future NBA stars Roy Hibbert, Greg Monroe, and Otto Porter Jr., the Big East Player of the Year in 2012-13 and the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft. His recruiting efforts helped the Hoyas land three classes that were rated among the top-25 in the country.
Prior to his stint at Georgetown, Hunter spent three years (2004-07) at Xavier, where he helped the team produce back-to-back 20-win seasons and earn a spot in the 2007 NCAA tourney.
He left his alma mater for the Director of Basketball Operations spot at North Carolina State (2000-04).
Hunter began his Division I coaching career at Duquesne, his alma mater, where he became a fulltime assistant for two seasons (1998-2000), helping the Dukes bring in the top recruiting class in the Atlantic 10 in 1999.
PLAYING CAREER
Hunter enjoyed a four-year (1992-96) playing career at Duquesne. He started 63 of his 103 career games played and averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 assists per game. He was voted as a three-time team captain and twice received an award as the team’s top upperclassman.
He was named to the Midwestern Collegiate Conference All-Freshman Team after averaging 10.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while starting all 28 games during his debut season with the Dukes. In the program’s transition to the Atlantic 10, Hunter posted 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals as a sophomore.
During his junior campaign he tallied averages of 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.2 steals in 27 starts. He closed his career with averages of 7.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 steals in 17 appearances as a senior. He was a career 35.1% (136-of-387) shooter from the 3-point line and 74.4% (215-of-289) shooter from the free throw line.
Hunter graduated from Duquesne with a degree in liberal arts in 1996 and earned his master’s degree in education from North Carolina State in 1998, while serving as a student manager for the Wolf Pack.
He played both football and basketball at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va.
PERSONAL
He has one son, Jaylin, two daughters, Kendall and Kamryn, and a stepdaughter, Avery. He is married to the former Shani Alston. Jaylin plays basketball at Ohio University. Kendall attends UNC Wilmington.
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